The IEEE Smart Ag Working Group is conducting research to learn about the various impacts caused by the lack of interoperability across agricultural systems & technologies. To...

The two-year specialty crop block grant, “Strategies for Improving Biological Control of Insect Pests for Vegetable Growers Utilizing High Tunnels” officially finished data collection in September. During the month of October, tomato, pepper and cut flower plants, stakes, posts, and string have...

We are now nearly through two-thirds of the fall season, and many folks could be forgiven if they have forgotten what rain sounds like. Much of the state has had less than 1 inch of rain since late September, including parts of east-central Illinois that have seen less than half an inch over the...

Hurricane Francine might have put a damper on the first “official” pumpkin weekend this season, but the following weekends have been near perfect for drawing crowds to fall agritourism activities.  The pumpkin crop is overall good to excellent, and demand is high.  Apple harvest,...

We’re about 3-4 weeks into apple season up here with new varieties being harvested each week. For the week of 9/20/2024, this includes ‘Gala’, ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘Early Fuji’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Cortland’, ‘Pixie Crunch’, ‘Crimson Crisp’, ‘Senshu’, and many, many others. This can vary from...

Weather update by Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist.Climatological summer encompasses June, July, and August, and the season often brings more than its fair share of intense weather. This past season was on the mild side, temperature-wise. June started the season with warmer than normal...

Food Works Southern Illinois Farming Alliance is hosting a Mechanical Weed Control Field Day on two dates from two different locations in the southern Illinois region. Each of these is a full day workshop with lunch included. Tuesday, October 8, Beet Root Farm, Carbondale, IL with be hosting the...